Ramsey County votes to scout out possible stadium architects

Commissioners voted 4-3 to pitch what's called a "request for qualifications," which will allow the county to approve possible partners and simplify the formal bidding process, which would come later. Those who voted for the action say it will show the team that Ramsey County is an eager partner, but detractors say the team should be in charge of finding architects itself.

Commissioners voted 4-3 to pitch what's called a "request for qualifications," which will allow the county to approve possible partners and simplify the formal bidding process, which would come later. Those who voted for the action say it will show the team that Ramsey County is an eager partner, but detractors say the team should be in charge of finding architects itself.

Ramsey County Commissioners Tony Bennett and Rafael Ortega have requested a meeting with state lawmakers to discuss a new Vikings stadium proposal, which would include a countywide 3 percent food, beverage and liquor tax.

Ramsey County leaders hope to collect 15,000 signatures to force a referendum vote in November on whether to publicly fund a proposed Arden Hills stadium. The ad hoc group says the effort is in response to elected officials ignoring their constituents and kowtowing to Vikings ownership.

As proposals for a new Vikings stadium land on the governor's desk, Minneapolis seems to have momentum and Shakopee is a late entry. But Ramsey County still believes it has the right combination to win the stadium site derby.

The Ramsey County Charter Commission voted late Tuesday to reject a countywide vote on a proposed half-cent sales tax that would help build a new home for the team. The move went against the wishes of many county residents, but leaders say it would have held up the project and raised its price tag.

Ramsey County officials are looking at new options to build a Vikings stadium. Among those options are taxes on hotels and liquor. The move comes as the team agrees to sit down again with Minneapolis officials. The Vikings say they'll work with Minneapolis to narrow down the options in that city to one site.

Arden Hills in Ramsey County is the Vikings' preferred site for a new stadium, but finding ways to fund their portion of the $1.1 billion plan is no longer on their shoulders. Ramsey County Commissioner Tony Bennett says "We've jumped every friggin' hoop there is in town."

Ramsey County commissioners Tony Bennett and Rafael Ortega have proposed a county-wide three-percent food and beverage tax to help fund a Vikings' stadium in Arden Hills. The tax would raise $24-million/year.